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Here’s what we got for you today:

• With so many different types of hooks to choose from, we give you the facts on which hooks to use and when ❓

• Scientist are spooked by a non-native fish species that can walk on land 🧑‍🔬

• How to cook trout over an open campfire 🔥

• Scroll To The Bottom - we have an unreal referral program and offer rewards for ONLY 1 referral 💸

🎣 Hooked Up Right

Fishing success often comes down to the smallest detail—literally. The type of hook you use can mean the difference between a perfect hookset and a frustrating near-miss. Let’s break down the most common hook types and when to use each one.

J-Hooks are the classic all-purpose hook. They’re great when you’re actively setting the hook, especially with live bait or artificial soft plastics. Use them for species like bass, trout, or perch when you want total control over the hookset. Pro Tip: Sharpen the point before each trip—factory edges can dull quickly, especially after a few snags.

Circle Hooks are built for catch-and-release. They curve inward, which helps them catch the corner of the fish’s mouth, not the gut. No need for a hard set—just start reeling when you feel weight. Best for bottom fishing with cut bait for catfish, redfish, surf species, or deep-sea rigs. Pro Tip: Don’t "set" the hook—just apply steady pressure. Setting it can actually pull it out of the fish’s mouth.

Offset Hooks have a bend near the eye that helps soft plastics stay secure. Great for rigging weedless in thick cover, like with a Texas rig. Best for largemouth bass and thick vegetation situations. Pro Tip: Pair with a bullet weight and 3–5” worm for a simple, deadly combo.

Wide Gap Hooks are what you need when your bait is bulky. They’re perfect for thicker baits like flukes, creature baits, and swimbaits. Pro Tip: Make sure there’s room between the bait and hook point—if it’s too crowded, you’ll miss hookups.

Treble Hooks give you three points of contact, meaning more chances to stick a fish. Standard on crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters. Pro Tip: Smash the barbs if you're practicing catch and release—easier on the fish and your fingers.

Bonus Tip: Always match hook size to your bait, not just the fish. A size 2 might be perfect for a worm, while a 3/0 suits a swimbait. Keep a small hook kit in your tackle bag. A $10 investment can save the day when the bite gets picky.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

• It’s official - commercial salmon fishing in California will be closed for a record third straight year. Recreational salmon fishing will be limited to a two-day window in June 🙃.

• If you catch a northern snakehead, don’t throw it back—throw it a funeral. This invasive fish walks on land, wrecks ecosystems, and has a kill-on-sight order in the U.S. Originally from Asia, it’s been spreading through East Coast waterways since 2002, outcompeting native species and freaking out biologists.

• This may be one of the strangest YouTube videos we’ve come across. Watch this guy recreate fishing injuries (e.g. hooking himself with real hooks):

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AI CORNER

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💋 CHEF’S KISS - RECIPE OF THE WEEK

With trout season nearly amongst us, it doesn’t get any better than cooking a trout over an open campfire: